Tripwire Legislation

June 8, 1985

AS A CONSERVATIVE, I could support the lifting of economic pressure against Nicaragua if Congress were to impose a tripwire in such legislation. Such economic pressure would stay off unless Nicaraguan involvement caused the fall of the government in neighboring El Salvador. In such a case, then Congress would commit the military resources necessary to overthrow the communist governments in Central America.

This legislation could assure that Nicaragua no longer would be able to support revolution without the most severe penalties, and we could assist the private sector of Nicaragua.

We must have language in such tripwire legislation that commits all the action with no turning back. I believe we should not give away something for nothing.